Getting Up To Speed With…Braedon Hand
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Madman Photography)
As the 2013 Wild Wild West Modified Shootout is about to commence this Saturday June 15th we talk to a guy who is looking to make a splash in this series, “Kid Rocket” Braedon Hand. The three-time Cottage Grove Speedway Modified track champion, and current track record holder, is looking to build off of his momentum in recent events to score his first win of the campaign. Hand has bested drivers of the Modified series once at the Coos Bay Speedway back in 2011.
Driver: Braedon Hand
Hometown: Cottage Grove, OR
Occupation: Electrician
Years Racing: 11
Age: 31
Classification: IMCA Modifieds
Car Number: 5
Chassis: Larry Shaw Race Cars
Sponsors: D&D Automotive, West End Performance, Vintage Inn Family Restaurant, RDH Racing, Todd’s Auto Body
Special Thanks: Pit Crew, Family, and Dustin Comer
BD: Braedon you haven’t won yet this year but you guys seem to be getting closer and closer. With your improvement in results was there anything specific that you guys worked on?
BH: Well this is pretty much a new car for us. We’re just trying to figure out what this one likes. But every week we keep improving. I think we’re close to winning one.
BD: Last year you had a bad crash at Willamette Speedway during this deal. Do you feel that track owes you one?
BH: No, we were having some handling issues before that. But getting a win there wouldn’t be bad.
BD: You have one win with Wild Wild West Modified Shootout back in 2011. Are you excited to return to the Coos Bay Speedway where you earned that victory?
BH: Yes. That place treats us well every time we go down there.
BD: Of all the tracks that are run during the speedweek what would you say are the two most identical tracks?
BH: Honestly Cottage Grove and Yreka. The configuration and banking are around the same and we run a bit of a similar set up that we run here when we go down there.
BD: What are you looking forward to the most during the 2013 Wild Wild West Modified Shootout?
BH: Just getting back on track and going back to winning races. We’re getting close but aren’t quite there.
The Wild Wild West Modified Shootout will visit Sunset Speedway Park on Monday June 17th. Tickets for Adults/Seniors/Military are $8.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, Children 5 and Under FREE, and a whole CAR LOAD will get you into the races for $25.00. Brian Poppa won the first installment in 2011 and Jesse Williamson is the defending champion.
2013 Wild Wild West Modified Shootout Schedule:
June 15th – Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, Washington)
June 16th – OFF
June 17th – Sunset Speedway (Banks, Oregon)
June 18th – Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, Oregon)
June 19th – Cottage Grove Speedway (Cottage Grove, Oregon)
June 20th – Coos Bay Speedway (Coos Bay, Oregon)
June 21st – Siskiyou Motor Speedway (Yreka, California)
June 22nd – Southern Oregon Speedway (White City, Oregon)